by magnolia_eic | Aug 7, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑANG on Thursday stood pat on its issuance of Executive Order No. 2 revoking “midnight appointments” made by the previous administration saying these violated the “intent and spirit of the constitutional ban on midnight appointments.”
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo De Mesa brushed aside former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s camp’s claim that E.O. No. 2 was unconstitutional because the appointments were made well before the ban took effect on March 10, 2010 or 45 days before the May 10 national elections.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon, De Mesa told reporters that the Supreme Court had, in several instances, already ruled on the issue when it nullified such appointments which took effect during the prohibition period as prescribed in the Constitution.
He explained that even though these so-called midnight appointments were made before March 10 or prior to the prohibition, the appointee was only able to assume office on the days when the ban had taken effect.
“The issue has been long settled by the SC itself when it prescribed that an appointment is a two-way process. It has to be accepted by the appointee and the appointee must take his oath (of office),” De Mesa said.
“So the SC has, in a very, very old case, already nullified appointments made during the prohibition period or which were not completed before the prohibition period,” he added.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the former President’s camp opted to “literally” interpret the provision banning midnight appointments.
“Our position is to take the spirit behind the provision which is that those appointments were made in violation of the spirit of the Constitution,” Lacierda added.
“As what Sec. De Mesa said, it is a two-way process. You have to have offer and acceptance,” Lacierda said, adding, “It is basic in administrative law, and it has already been settled several times in the Supreme Court. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 7, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑANG on Thursday said that the “worst is over” for the riding public affected by the ongoing dispute between the management and pilots of the Philippine Airlines and there’s no more need for government intervention in the problem.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said during a Malacanang press briefing that PAL management on its own will implement a modified flight schedule that will normalize operations
Lacierda said that PAL has committed to submit to the Civil Aeronautics Board a revised flight schedule for all routes, thus assuring flights for the riding public.
“This will normalize the operations under a used flight frequency. Apparently PAL has come up with the modified schedule so as not to prejudice to riding public,” Lacierda said.
On the concerns of the PAL pilots about what they felt was the indiscriminate transfer of pilots to PAL sister firm, Air Philippines, that reportedly was affecting their security of tenure, Lacierda said that PAL management has promised not to transfer A320 pilots to its sister company.
Lacierda also said that PAL shall undertake dialogue with the remaining pilots.
Lacierda said that the government will no longer take part in the dialogues as he believes that the management and the pilots can mutually resolve the issues by themselves.
He added that the foremost concern of the government was the exodus of the pilots, but since PAL has already promised to modify its flight schedules, the government need not interfere anymore.
by magnolia_eic | Aug 5, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday said Malacañang is aware that public interest is involved in the dispute between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its pilots so that it has taken cognizance of the problem and ordered multi-agency mediation efforts.
Lacierda however clarified that the dispute is still at a point where it can be settled amicably without the need for laying out the basis of government intervention for reasons of national interest.
“Under the Labor Code, the secretary of labor can step into a particular controversy by way of national interest,” Lacierda said but stressed that the PAL-pilots’ row will be settled mutually.
In a Palace news briefing, Lacierda said the overriding concern of President Benigno S. Aquino III in ordering a meeting between PAL pilots and the management with facilitation by some Cabinet secretaries, is the interest of the riding public and some sectors of the economy who will be severely affected should the impasse continue.
President Aquino has ordered Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and the secretaries of the Department of Transport and Communication (DOTC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to meet today with PAL representatives to get to the bottom of the issue.
A number of PAL flights have been cancelled due to the dispute, which started when 25 pilots decided to move to higher paying jobs abroad. In the last two days alone, PAL had cancelled regional and domestic flights after 13 captains and 12 first officers resigned their posts to join Airlines abroad that offered more lucrative deals.
The President reminded both the management of PAL and the pilots who sought resignation that they have an obligation to the public. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jul 15, 2010 | Headlines, National News, Weather Coverage
MALACAÑANG is set to review the country’s weather forecasting system after President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III admonished the state weather bureau for failing to predict that Typhoon Basyang was headed for Metro Manila.
President Aquino told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo that he wants more “precision” in the way the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) predicts weather movements.
The PAGASA weather bulletin on Tuesday said Basyang would batter Northern and Central Luzon areas, and listed Metro Manila among the areas that would be under Storm Signal No. 1, with 30 to 60 kilometers-per-hour winds. However, the storm hit the metropolis before dawn Wednesday, cutting off power supply in most areas.
“Changes should be known to the public at the earliest possible time,” said Aquino, adding that delays in weather forecast advisories slow down government response.
Aquino said there should also be improvements in the dissemination of information, such as finding ways to inform small-time fishermen who cannot afford radio equipment if there have been changes in the weather so they can immediately go back to shore.
Aquino earlier reprimanded PAGASA for failing to announce that the typhoon would hit hard Metro Manila. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jul 7, 2010 | Headlines
OFFICIALS of the Cabinet of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s will undergo training on how to conduct themselves better when dealing with the members of the media.
Aquino himself had apologized for Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda and Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro, who both ticked off some reporters only a few days into their office.
Aquino also asked the members of the media to understand his Cabinet men, who do not have any prior experience on how to deal when being grilled with controversial questions.
Last Thursday, Lacierda missed a scheduled press conference in Malacanang. Reporters were waiting for him for hours on his reaction regarding the administration’s first, but controversial, memorandum circular. Lacierda had already apologized for his gaffe.
Luistro, on the other hand, blamed the media for adding fuel to the fire between the government and the Catholic Church regarding the sex education program.
Aquino stressed Luistro, former president of the De La Salle University, was used to facing students.
He said the people behind his successful campaign will give the seminar to the officials. (PIA-Bohol)
